Bona back from the brink

The three Sunshine Coast conservationists are back with the baby elephant which stole the hearts of people around the world.

Eight months ago, Murray Munro, Amanda French and Bruce Levick came to the rescue of the severely malnourished orphaned elephant.

When they met her, Bona's backbone and ribs were protruding, her skin was dry and discoloured and she weighed a mere 182kg.

They will celebrate a milestone they never imagined she would make on Wed

nesday.

The three former Australia Zoo workers will mark Bona's second birthday with a giant watermelon cake.

The trio put their lives on hold to be surrogate parents to the endangered animal, and raise funds and awareness for Sumatran elephants. Bona was found on a palm-oil plantation, where her mother and six other

elephants died from suspected poisoning in April last year.

Amanda said she was very pleased to be back with her favourite little elephant after four months away.

"She has grown an incredible amount," she said.

"It is taking us some time to adjust to seeing her so healthy."

Bruce has been at the

Seblat Elephant Conservation Centre looking after her and co-ordinating her care, while Murray and Amanda have been in Australia raising awareness and fundraising. To donate, visit savebona.org. Save Bona t-shirts are also available for $25 through the website. Keep track of Bona's progress through facebook/savebona.